Aircraft



b. D. BRUNER.

AIRCRAFT. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 6. I920.

Patente May 24 31921..

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INVENTOR ATTORNEY GL0. BRUNER. AIRCRAFT. IAPPILICATIOTII men DEC. 6. 1920; 1,3? 9,52%, Patent/e01 y 24, 19.21.

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INVENTOR ATTORNEY (EARL DEAN BRUNER, 0F URBANA,-EH$SUEI.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 24, 19211.

Application filed December 6, 1920. Serial 160. 428,803.

To all whom it may concern:

lBe it known that I, GARLAND DEAN BRUNER, 'a citizen of the United States, residin at Urbana, in the county of Dallas and tate of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Aircraft, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toaircraft of the helicopter type, or more definitely to a machine designed to be supported and driven by a propeller, to the exclusion of other supporting surfaces or devices.

The object is to provide a machine which may be caused to rise directly without traveling an appreciable distance from the point of taking off, and which may descend in'the same manner, the propeller being so mounted that it may be caused to assume various angles with reference to the vertical; thereby permitting also of movement directly ahead when ascending or descending.

A further object is to provide in" connection with a suitable framework, means for controlling the position of the propeller, and driving means for the latter.

A stlll further-object is to provide a rud der which shall be so mounted that it may always be in the path of the air current produced by the propeller.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that modifications or variations in construction may be made within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of the inven-v tion.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the machine in elevation, Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, through the framework, a

portion of the propelling mechanism being in top plan, Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the mounting means for the propeller shaft, Fig. 4 is a detail of that form of the device .in which an engine is employed for driving the propeller.

The framework includes the lower trans verse elements 10, and the upwardly inclined members 11, 12 and 13 supporting an annular element 15. This element last named is provided with bearings 16 receiving the laterally extending devices, or trunnions 17 carried by a mber 18 on the propeller shaft. A cone bearing is shown at 19 and a universal joint at 20. Ball bearings are designated 21. The weight of the entire device and the operator is thereby in ascent suspended from the propeller shaft. The

propeller per 86 is designated22 and may e caused to assume various angular positions by the operation of a controlling lever 24 connected as shown at 25. This lever is caused to engage a segment 26 carrying a frictional element 27, such as a coiled spring,

in which it may be set by the operation and thereby retaining the propeller in the position required for making'a direct ascent, or

' for ascending or descending at an angle.

The rudder 28 is mounted for movement about an axis 29, and is under the control connected respectively with the opposite ends of the bar 32. The cords pass over pulleys such as 33 near the upper portion of the framework, and also around pulleys 35 and 36 near the lower portion of the framework, and thence around the spool 36' on the shaft 37. This shaft carries a guiding last named carries a beveled pinion 49 meshing with a gear wheel 50. A crank shaft 51 serves to mount this gear wheel last named, the crank and pedals eing shownat .53 and of cords or other flexible devices 30, and 31,

54. I have also shown a motor conventionally at 55 for driving the shaft 48, through the medium of the gearing designated 57,

when it is desired to employ a gasolene en ine or other suitable motive power.

hat is claimed y 1. A device of the class described, comprising .a framework including lower approximately horizontal elements and upwardly inclined elements extending toward each other, a propeller, 'a shaft therefor,

and means for mounting the latter in the upper portion of the frame, permitting ro tation of the propeller, means for driving the propeller, said means including a universal joint, said means for mounting the propeller shaft comprising an annular horiioo 65 designed to retain the lever in any position zontal element supported by the framework,

a tiltable, element including trunnions supported by the annular element, means copperating with the tiltable element provid- 1 named sha mg a bearin for the pro ller shaft, and a lever for roc g the tilta 1e element.

2; A device of the classidescribed comprising a framework, a shaft mounted in the lower portion thereof, means for driving the shaft, a shaft mounted in the framework and extending upwardly from the shaft first named gearing for driving the second ft from that first named, a pro- .peller shaft connected with the second named shaft, a-universal oint for effecting such connectlon, means or mountln propeller shaft permitting of the shlfting of the latter to various angular positions with reference to the vertical axis of the framework, a propeller mounted on the propeller shaft, and a-rudder mounted to maintain a position the path of the air current from the propeller, said means for mounting the propeller shaft comprising an annular horizontal element supportedv by theframework, a tiltableelement including the trunnions supported by the annular element, means cooperating with the tiltable element. providing a bearing for the propeller shaft, and a lever for rocking the tiltable element.

3.'A device of the class described comprising a framework includin ppr matel horizontal elements an upwardl 1 exten elements inclined towa d each propeller shaft permitting the latter to move angularly with reference to the annular element, and a rudder mounted on the framework in the path of movement of the air current from the pro ller.'

In testimon whereof aflix m si ture. GALELAN D DEAN B ER.

propeller shaft, means for mounting said 

